The Sun. — London, England, 1838-06-22 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE. GUILDHALL. Yesterday Charles Rose, the conductor of a Kew omnibus, No. 2,478, attended before Mr. - Alderman Sir T. WOOD, to answer the complaint of W. H. Unwin, Esq., for exacting 6d. more than his ordinary and proper fare, for conveying him from Cookspur-street to St. Paul's Church-yard. The complainant stated that he and Lord Grantley got into the omnibus in Cockspur-street, and alighted at the end of Watling-street. He asked the defendant his fare, and he re plied, " A shilling each." He told the defendant he thought the fare was only l 6d. each. Defendant, in every peremptory tone, said, " o, it is a shilling each, and I will have it." Complainant again expressed a doubt whether 6d. was not the customary fare, and the defendant said he would have a shilling—there was his number, and complainant might seek redress. Complainant paid him the 25., and the defendant went off so suddenly, that it was almost impossible to take his number. If the complainant had not been able to run, the defendant would have escaped. The defendant said the affair occurred cn Monday evening, and on that day, when people were anxious to see the review, all the omnibuses doubled their fares. He had not the word " sixpence" written up on his omnibus. Nor had he " Is." written up, observed the MAGISTRATE ; but it was his bounden duty to guard the public against any misapprehension. It was a gross fraud, indeed, to double the customary fare, without any notice to the passengers on get ting into the omnibus. The defendant said his master did not wish him to take any sixpenny fares. He was very sorry he had offended the gentle.. man, and was ready to return the sixpence. Mr. Unwin said his only motive was that the public should not be imposed on in this way, and convince the defendant he was in error. The defendant again expressed his desire to return the sixpence. Mr. Alderman T. WOOO told him to do so, and pay the costs. It one of the greatest impositions that could be com mitted for the driver of a long stage to take up a passenger at a short distance, and charge him the whole fare. If the Kew omnibuses were guilty of such gross frauds, they must be prevented from taking up passengers within the customary sixpenny tares. The defendant returned the overcharge and paid the costs, which Mr. Unwin put in the poor-box. Q UEEN : S Q UARE. George, alias Joseph Moore, a servant in the employ of Robert Adam Christopher, Esq., M. P., and magistrate of the county of Lincoln, was charged with obtaining the situation of under-butler in the above gentleman's establishment by means of a false character. Mr. Christopher vvas examined, and stated, I reside at 97, Eaton-square. About the latter end of March last the de fendant came to me and applied for the then vacant situation of under-butler, I requested references, when the defendant referred me to a Mr. Gordon, of Enfield Lodge, Stratford ; he also added that he had previously lived in the family of Lord Aberdeen. Before I engaged the defendant I directed a letter to John Gordon, Esq., Enfield Lodge, Stratford, and in the course of two days received the following letter in reply, per post : " Mr. Gordon presents his compliments to Mr. Christopher, and begs to say that Joseph Moore has lived in my family for two years and a half as under-butler. I have always found him to he perfectly honest, sober, steady, cleanly, and industrious, and he quitted my service on his own accord. (Signed) " JOHN GORDON. " Enfield Lodge." Upon this recommendation I took the defendant into my service. Soon after I engaged him I had occasion to go into the country, and, on my return to town, was informed by my steward that the defendant had been conducting himself in a very loose manner, such as frequently getting tipsy and staying out all night. Upon receiving this account of the behaviour of the defendant I suspected that I had been imposed upon, and directed the police to ascertain if the recommendation was genuine or false, and, upon being informed of the latter, I ob tained a warrant against the defendant. David Johnson, one of the Bow-street horse-patrol, stated that he had done duty at Stratford, West Ham, and its sur rounding neighbourhood for the last ten years, and during bat time never knew such a place as Enfield Lodge, or such a person as "John Gordon." He had made the strictest in quiry, and was positive there was no such person there resident. Mr. WurrE (to the defendant)—We understand that you admit that you are guilty of the off:mce imputed to you. What have you to say in extenuation of your conduct I—De fendant—l was persuaded to it. I had been out of a situation for a long time. and a man whom I met promiscuoirdy- in Whitechapel told me if I beard of a situation he would pro cure me a character for a consideration. I heard of this one, a.,d informed the man of it, and he sent the above-mentioned recommendation. Mr. Is/111TE asked the defendant how the writer had con trived to possess himself of Mr. Christopher's letter ?—Defen daat—He went to the Stratford post-office, and represented himself as Mr. Gordon ; the defendant added that he had a wire and child living in Adam-s'rePt West, Portman-square, and that he did not obtain the situation for any other than an hen,st motive. " — Mr. Christopher here said that as the defendant had not been guilty of any gross cond uc t, h e h o p e d th e M ag i strate would give him no more punishment than would be a suffi cient warning to him._ Mr. WHITE consoilted with big colleague (Mr. Gregorie), self to a penalty of 201., or three months' imprisonment in the house of Correction ; but, in cun'idcration of his not baying been guilty of any gross neglect of duty, he should remit the puniFrnent to one half. The defendant would, therefore, pay a fire of Id, or be imprisoned six weeks. The defendant, being unable to pay the fine, was then Iceked up. The 14agistrates expr.ssed their thanks to Mr. Christopher for the trouble he had taken in exposing this but too prevalent tptem of giving false characters. DOINGS OF THE PLUSH B7.EECIIES FRATERNITY.—John Bickford, coachman, in the service of Lady Seymour, was charged on a summons with obstructing the police while in the execution of their duty at the Op era House. Sergeant Wray, of the A division, stated that on the night of Tuesday, the 12th instant, he was employed in regulating the carriages at her Majesty's Theatre. His attention was caled to the conduct of defendant, who had broken the rank, and in endeavouring to cut his way in had locked his carriage within that of Horsley Palmer, Esq. The effect of the con ci:ssion was such as to drive the horses of the latter carriage on to the pavement under the piazza, the pillars of which alone presented the carriage from upsetting. In consequence of this conduct the further egress of the company from the theatre was interrupted for upwards of a quarter of an hour, and the carriage-way rendered impassable. In consequence of the shameful conduct of gentlemen's ceachmen generally, their refusal to obey the orders of the police, and, from their behaviour, continually placing the lives of passers by in dan ger, the Commissioners of Police directed witness to obtain the present summons. Mr. GREGORIS asked if the defendant had been previously cautioned not to break the ranks. Sergeant Wray replied that he had been cautioned full a quarter of an hour previous to the accident happening, but seemed at the time to pay no attention. Mr. GaErioatE supposed the defendant did not deny the charge. Defendant—Certainly I do. I consider I did no wrong. Mr. GREGOICIE—Very well, then, we will proceed with the ca=e. and call the witnesses. I had intended, had you admitted you were in error, to have imposed a low fine, Thomas Durkin, 11l A, was then called, and deposed to seeing the carriage of Horsley Palmer, Esq., draw up, and prepare to take up its company, when the defendant drove against it in the most violent manner. He was also witness to hearing the defendant forewarned by last witness. Charles Davis, coachman to Mr. Horsley Palmer, also bore testimony to the violent conduct of the defendant. Mr. eREGOEIE again asked the defendant if he denied the charge. The defendant stated that a few minutes before the accident happened he had directed the footman to sec if the road was sufficiently clear for him to drive up to the house, and upon being informed that it was so, he accordingly drove on. He denied having received any caution from the police, or even seeing one of them. He believed the police could not say that he was insolent to them. Mr. GREGORIE said he understood that he had not been se; and that was a redeeming point certainly. For the future he would advice the defendant to pay implicit obedience to the orders of the police ; and to prove to him that such conduct as he had been guilty of could not be allowed, he should order him to pay a mitigated penalty of 20s. and costs. The defendant immediately paid the fine and was liberated. FLOOD.—A great deal of rain fell last week, and on Monday, the 11th, lightning and thunder flashed and roared con tinuously in the higher parts of Nithsdale, and lower of Annandale. In this town the growl of thunder was merely heard, while the elemental warfare raged prodigiously at a few miles distance. In Annandale every burn and mountain stream rose to an almost unprece dented height, and we conversed with a gentleman, who resides near Lockerby, who never saw Corrie, or any other water, so high in so brief a space, during the last twenty-four years. A friend who has been in Annandale during the last few days informs us that torrents of rain were poured forth without intermission during the whole day, bringing to the recollection of all the striking expres sion in Holy Writ, " the windows of heaven were opened." A great deal of damage has been done—several stone bridges have been broken down and carried away, and amongst other minor evils, may be enume. rated those of roads completely spoiled by the water pouring from the hills, rutting the sides, carrying away the metal surface, or depositing heaps of sand, soil, and stones on what was formerly as smooth as a bowling-green ; breaches were made in the dykes wherever they opposed the course of the t orrent-p l oughed fields were so roughly dealt with as in many places to efface all marks of the furrow, and allo gether, it will require many days and the labour of numerous hands to repair the mischief which has been done. A bridge was broken down on the road between Ecclefechan and Langholm, and such was the resist less force of a burn, which, in general, might be crossed by an inhabi tant of Lilliput, that a large part of the adjoining meadow has been scooped out and carried away, leaving th e road to terminate somewhat abruptly at the very edge of what is now a bank several feet high. Various breakwaters had been built to protect the bridge in question; these were carried away, one by one, and when the last had • been swept °tithe torrent seemed to rush on with redoubled fury—in a moment the tottering arch gave way, and the water rising in spray to a is power over the works of man.— IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, Ju.vis Their Lordships assembled at the usual hour. POSTAGE. The Duke of RICHMOND presented two petitions in favour of Rowland Hill's plan for cheapening postage, one from Chichester, the other from Woodchurch. ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION. _ _ The Earl of SHAFTESBURY presented a petition for the appropriation of Church funds for strictly ecclesiastical purposes, apart from the controul of the Ecclesiastical Com missioners. great height, seemed to rejoice in its power over the works of man._ Dumfries Courier. EX_O4F.4.4JER 'COURT..-EMMOTT V. THE HON 7 6 C . NQaT.e 3 r• t- - •• not being concluded, when we went to press / Ay . terday, the i . ed with a verdict for the defendant. I 7On sat' .ay„ ( ..gying with his , ~ , Parents en Chapter.street, Vauxhall.road, while bathing ....„.rning, between seven and eight - A, O'clock, a youth riareiod f , mas Andrews, about thirteen years of age, 4,rit he Thames off-5014 , got out of hi s d ept h , was carr i e d awa y by 031, W*0:214 drowned A a . , • --, -, s. I .!. ‘ kt,'/,; - ,i(/.... CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition against further endowments to the Church of Scotland. BENEFICES PLURALITIES BILL. A Message from the Commons brought up this Bill, as also the Suitors' of the Court of Chancery Bill, as also the Dudley and Killinghall Road Bill, and the Edinburgh and Glas gow Railway Bill (agreeing to amendments made by the Lords.) This Bill is one of the largest we ever remember seeing; the Earl of Shaftesbury (who oc cupied the Woolsack in the absence of the Lord Chancellor) had great difficulty in carrying the Bill, according to the usual custom, from the bar to the Woolsack. NEW MODE OF EXTINGUISHING FIRE. Earl STANHOPE presented a petition from a Rev. Mr. Jenkins, stating that he had discovered a new method of speedily extinguishing fire. NEGRO SLAVERY. _ _ The Earl of YARBOROUGH presented a petition from Ryde, Isle of Wight, against Negro Slavery. POOR LAWS. Earl STANHOPE presented a petition from the Guardians of the Poor Law Union of St. George's, Southwark, against the New Poor Law. Also a similar petition from Ashton-under-Lyne. In presenting this pe tition, the Noble Earl said it was not true, as had been stated, that the Rev. Mr. Stevens of that town had used in flammatory language in regard to the Poor-law. The Noble and Learned opposite (Lord Brougham) had used language more inflammatory, if not treasonable, on some occasions. Lord BROUGHAM—My Lords, I did not think I should have lived to be charged with using treasonable language.— (Laughter.) It is quite untrue that I ever made an inflam matory harangue to the people of Birmingham, as it has been stated. I never stopped in that great town longer than to change horses ; nor did I ever say—as it has been imputed to me—that I hoped to live to see the day when the heads of kings should be made footballs for little boys to kick along the streets !—(Loud laughter.) I leave to your Lord ships to say whether that is my usual way of expressing myself on any subject.—( Hear.) NEGRO SLAVERY. Earl RIPON asked if the Colonial Secretary had received information that the Legislature of Saint Vincent's had agreed to a Bill for emancipating the Negro Apprentices in that island on the Ist August, and if there would be any objection to lay such information before the House ? Lord GLENELG replied that he had received such in formation, and would have no objection to the production of all papers on the subject. Lord BROUGHAM expressed his unfeigned satisfaction at this intelligence, and inquired if the Legislature of Jamaica had not manifested a similar disposition ? Lord GLENELG answered that he understood this to be the case. Lord BROUGHAM trusted the Ministry would do all in their power to accelerate so desirable a consummation as the voluntary emancipation of all the slaves throughout the British colonies : so that at the approaching ceremony of the Corona tion, if possible, the august Sovereign of these realms might feel the happy consciousness that she indeed reigned over a free empire.—( Hear, bear.) BURNING OF A BRITISH STEAMER ON THE RIVER ST. LAWRENCE. In answer toaquestion from Lord LYNDIIURST, Lord (.; LE NELG said he had received no official informa tion of the burning of a British steamer on the St. Lawrence. BENEFICES PLURALITIES BILL. On the motion of the Archbishop of CANTERBURY this Bill was read a first time; and gave notice that he would move its second reading on Monday se'enight. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. Earl FITZ WIL LIA M presented several petitions against any farther grants to the Scotch Church. The Noble Earl said he had some petitions on the subject of Negro slavery, which, under present circumstances, he should with draw. One of the petitions, with regard to Scotch Church Endowments, contained the word " diabolical," as applied to Legislative measures. Lord LONDONDERRY objected that the petition could not be received. Earl FIT ZWILLIAM said, undoubtedly he should not like to use such language, but he did not know if it were unparliamen tary. —( Loud laughter.) Besides, the petition only referred to measures as diabolical which were now repealed.—( Hear, hear. )_Ordered to lie on the table. CANADA. Er.rl GOSFORD presented a petition from the Bishop, Gergy, and Inhabitants of Quehec, stating that it was but a small proportion cf the paople of Canada that were tainted with disloyalty, and that the great majority of them were anxious to preserve the connection with the mother country. The petition was against the union of the two provinces of Canada, and further, 1-ogltly commended the administration of Eat Gesford. This was not a fit occasion, the Noble Earl rii)Woitafyiti - gdlrdia 61W0ijrfCi g vc fi"riy iti l kiVnToniTs , RCr any charges, connected with his government in that colony. any BROUGHAM said he hoped he should have the support of the Noble Earl to his (Lord B.'s) intended motion ror the ree:4 of the " Dictatorial Mission "—(Laughter)— which had been sent to Canada, the inhabitants of which it appeared were so 10-al.—(Hear.) IRISH POOR LAW. On the Order of the Day for the third reading- of this Bill, The Marquis of LONDONDERRY presented a petition against the Bill. The Report was then received. SARDINIAN VESSELS. Lord BROUGHAM asked if the Government had any objection to produce any Admiralty order with regard to S,:r dinian vessels ?—it appears to me a question of great im portance —( Hear.) Lord MELBOURNE asked if there would be a motion to that effect. Lord BROUGHAM—Oh ! !thought it would be a matter of course. I shall move for the production of the Papers on Tuesday. IRISH POOR LAW BILL. Lord ELLE NI3 0 R 0 UG H suggested that the most conve nient course to adopt with respect to this Bill would be to re commit and go through the clauses seriatim. On the motion of the Noimt Lost, the House then went into Commit tee on the Bill. On the first clause, Lord ELLE NBOROUG H said that he did not rise for the purpose of proposing any amendment to this clause ; but for the purpose of observing that, in point of fact, though it was enacted that. the Bill should be carried into effect by the Poor Law Commissioners of England they would not, as this Bill at present stood, carry it into opetation, because by the present provisions of the Bill one of the Secretaries of State was to name the Commissioner who was to go to Ireland, and the Commiss'oner was invested with all the authority of the Board, except that of making general rules. The Bill created, in point of fact, two several Commissions, and did not, as it purported to do, leave its operation in the hands of ose The only controul that the Commissioners in England had over the Commissioners in Ireland was given by a particular clause, which obliged him to come to London once in the year, and then they could overturn all his previous regulations. In other respects he was perfectly independent. He had only risen for the purpose of letting their Lordships thoroughly understand that the Bill would be executed by a single Com missioner, and that that Commissioner would be appointed by the Secretary of State. Clauses 1 and 2 were then agreed to. On 3 clause . , The LORD CHANCELLOR proposed as an amendment to insert alter the word "workhouse" the words" Houses of Industry and Foundling hospitals," the object being to pro vide for the intermediate period which must elapse during the erection of ,workhouses, and to place those institutions under the same authority as the workhouses. The Earl of CARBERRY begged to ask if that amend ment were carried what was to become of the 1,500 deserted children no maintained in the Foundling Hospital at Cork ? If they took them under the workhouse system they would have at once 1,500 paupers. The LORD CHANCELLOR said that that case was pro vided for by the 34th clause, which enacted that the benefits of all such establishments were still to be confined to the pre sent recipients ; but the object was that they should be placed under the controul of the Commissioners instead of the local authorities. Lord RE DE SD ALE suggested that it would be advisa. ble to provide for these institutions by a separate Bill. The Marquis of CL ANRICA RD E occurred in the pro priety of that suggestion. Lord BROUGHAM said that his enmity to this Bill had not been in the least degree mitigated. Some alterations bad been made, which rendered it worse ; and some provisions had been introduced, which it would be impossible to exe cute, though the circumstances certainly ought to be taken as a set-off against the Bill itself ; but this amendment afforded the only ray of light in the darkness of the pros- P— ect if it would have the effect of putting a period to a great public nuisance—for he held a Foundling Hospital to be the grossest public nuisance, tending to a great injury of the morality and property of a neighbourhood.—( Hear, hear.) Many persons in Ireland and France supposed that they had a Foundling Hospital in London ; but that was a great mis take, and he bad taken the liberty of undeceiving them in France. It was sixty years since the Hospital to which he alluded had ceased to receive foundlings—it could not do so— for by the Act of Parliament no child could be received there unless there had been a previous examination of the parents, which, of course, entirely abolished the idea of its being a Foundling Hospital. The Earl of WICKLOW said that the question was not whether a Foundling Hospital were an useful or proper insti tution ; but whether, there being one established at Cork, and having 1,500 inmates, the controul over it should be taken from those who at present exercised it, and given to the Com missioners. This question came properly under considera tion upon the 34th clause, and though he thought that gene rally it was advisable to bring establishments of this sort under the same authority, if his Noble Friend on the 34th clause proposed an exemption in favour of this particular institution in Cork it would have his support. The Duke of WELLINGTON said that the clause which they were now considering did not give the power that was supposed ; it only gave the Commissioners power over esta. THE SUN, LONDON, FIR DA Y, JU.NE 22, 1838. blishnaents of this kind generally ; but the 34th clause was that upon which this discussion would arise; and he thought, therefore, that they would save time by adopting at once the amendment of the Noble and Learned Lord (the Lord Chan cellor). If these establishments were to continue to exist, and be carried on under separate authorities, it would be at tended with great additional expense. His Noble Friend could afterwards object to the 34th clause if he thought proper. The Earl of GL ENGAL L said that he hoped it was not intended by the amendment of the Noble and Learned Lord that the Commission should have the controul over the ap pointment of the officers to the Houses of Industry, who bad hitherto been appointed by the Grand Juries ; that certainly seemed to be the effect of the clause, as proposed to be amended by the Noble and Learned Lord. The LORD CHANCELLOR said that in order to have any controul over the establishment, he must have the power of appointing and removing its officers. The amendment was then agreed to, and the clause as amended was ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 4 to 10 were then agreed to. On clause 11, Lord ELLENBOROUGH observed that this clause was in point of fact an alteration of the Poor-law Act for England, and to obviate that objection he proposed to insert after the word " Commissioners," the words " acting in Ireland." The amendment was agreed to, after a short conversation, and the clause as amended stood part of the Bill. Clauses 12 and 13 were then agreed to. Clause 14 was agreed to, with an understanding that it would be amended upon the bringing up of the report. Clauses up to 33 inclusive were then agreed to. On clause 34 being proposed, Lord ELLENBOROUG H proposed, as an amendment, that in the gradual reduction of foundling hospitals due regard should be had to the provision which should be made to the objects of charity at present resident therein. The clause thus amended was then agreed to. On clause 35, Lord ELL ENBOROUGH moved, as an addition to the clause, that it should not be lawful for the Commissioners after the expiration of thre2 years to expend any money upon the building- or extension of workhouses, without the consent of the majority of the Guardians. He moved this amendment because, as the Act was to be final, it would prevent any change being made by future Commissioners, whose views upon the subject might differ from those entertained by the present Government. The provision which he proposed would have the effect of carrying out the Act in future in the spirit in which it was enacted. The addition was accordingly made, and the clause agreed to, as were also clauses to 38 inclusive. Clause 39 was struck out. Clause 40 was agreed to. Clause 41, The LORD CHANCELLOR proposed the addition of these words, " that when any workhouse shall be fit for their reception it shall he lawful for the guardian to take order for relieving and setting to work therein such destitute persons as by reason of old age, infirmity, or sickness shall require re lief: also all orphans or destitute children, and in the next place for such persons as they may consider otherwise entitled to relief." Clause 41, as thus amended, was then ag,reed to. Clause 42. The Marquis of SALISBURY said that as they now found that in various parts of England the workhouses, notwith standing their name of bastiles, were full of able-bodied men, who preferred residence in them to outdoor employment, the residence in it could not be considered a sufficient test of poverty. In Ireland the case would be worse, as the scale of living was so low there that any workhouse diet must be an improvement. To obviate this inconvenience, he should move the insertion of the following clause, " provided always that it shall be lawful for the Board of Guardians, on receiving an able-bodied destitute labourer into the workhouse, to enter into an agreement with him either for the period of time during which he is to be employed or the amount of work to be done. And in case such able-bodied labourer shall refuse to perform such work, or shall depart from the workhouse 13,•fore the period so agreed to, it shall be lawful for the guardians to make complaint before any Justice of the Peace, who shall have power to punish such offender by sentencing him to hard labour in gaol for any period not exceeding three months." Lord PORTMAN said that the Noble Marquis should re collect that if the pauper was to be punished for idleness, he should be paid for his labour. If there was no payment there could be no contract, so that an additional clause, providing for the payment of such labour would b 3 necessary to make this effectual. Besides, he did not see, if each workhouse was to have only twelve acres of land, how work could be found in sufficient quantity for the paupers. For these reasons he should oppose the clause. The IY.ike of RICHMOND thought that the English plan would answer better than this clause. By that plan the relief given in winter was treated as a loan, to be recovered in sum mer out of the man's wages. The Earl of WICKLOW hoped that if this clause was in troducee the work contemplated woull be exclusively of a public nature. Ile . hoped that no jobbing would be per reittcd.—( Hear, hear.) The Earl of BRADFORD opposed the clause. After some further conversation, Tile Lai of SALISBURY said that he should not press his Clause further at present, but move: it on the bringing up of the repuit„ The clause was then withdrawn, and clause 42 agreed to. Clause 43, with some verbal amendments, suggested by the I 'YYMe r 4 l 4 l ,l); \ 'o r( sZin ' : , for the racing b7ele ' ct'oral districts. Earl FITZWILLIAM said that a great injustice would be perpetrated by rating by electoral districts. It should be done by townlands, becausa every one at all acquainted with Ireland knew that a townland was generally the property cf one person, whereas electoral districts often comprised several distinct properties. In consequence of this if the present mode was persisted in, one man might have to pay the expense which should properly fill on the property of anothe r. The Noble Earl then proposed an amendment, altering " electoral districts" to " townlands," which was agreed to. The LORD CHANCELLOR suggested as an amend ment that the power of forming or altering the unions should not be vested in the majority of the Guardians until three years after the passing of the Bill. This was also agreed to. The Clause was then agreed to. On Clause 45 being proposed, The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved the addition of a proviso, empowering the Commissioners under the Act, at the request of the Governors of any Hospital or Infirmary sup ported by Grand Jury Assessment or Parliamentary grant, to inspect such Hospital or Infirmary from time to time, and if necessary to afford grants of money, to be raised under this Act, towards the maintenance and support of such Hospital or Infirmary. Lord ELLENBOROUGH objected to the amendment. He thought such application of the money would be diverting it from the purposes to which it was originally intended to be applied under this Bill. The Duke of WELLINGTON thought this proposition would lead to increased expense. There would, in effect, be an hospital attached to every Union, and to apply the money to the support of hospitals and infirmaries in the manner pro vided for by the amendment would cause a considerable aug. mentation of expense. He had, however, no objection to that I part of the amendment which gave the Commissioners a power of inspection with regard to those institutions. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE had no objection to with draw the latter part of the clause, if it did not meet the assent of their Lordships. After a few observations from the Earl of WICKLOW, the latter part of the amendment was withdrawn, and that part of the amendment giving to the Commissioners the power of inspection was agreed to. The clause as amended was then agreed to. On clause 46, The Earl of FINGALL proposed the addition of a proviso, copied from the " Gaol Act," the ith of George IV., to the effect that in all cases where Chaplains were to be appointed to poorhouses the Clergymen of the Established Church who officiated within the parish, if duly qualified, and the Dissent ing and Roman Catholic Clergymen officiating within the parish in which such workhouse was situate, if otherwise duly qualified, should in all cases have the preference of such ap pointment. The Earl of WICKLOW concurred in the principle of the amendment, but thought it would be better to substitute union for parish. The Marquis of SLIGO approved of the suggestion, and moved the substitution of the word " union" instead of " pa rish." The amendment was put and negatived, and the original proviso was agreed to, and added to the clause. The clause, as amended, was then ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses down to 53 inclusive were then agreed to without any amendment. Clauses up to 63 inclusive were then agreed to, after which the House resumed, the Chairman reported progress, and ob tained leave to sit again to-morrow. The Oxford and Great Western Railroad Committee was then named, and their Lordships adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, JUNE 21. - - The SPEAKER took the chair at the usual hour. Mr. Crafer from the Treasury appeared at the bar with re :urns, which were laid on the table. GLOUCESTER ELECTION. - The SPEAKER acquainted the House that the petitioners who had complained of an undue return for the city of Gloucester, had not entered into the recognizances required by the Act of Parliament. The order for taking the peti tion into consideration was then discharged. ROYAL EXCHANGE (REBUILDING) BILL. Sir MATTHEW WOOD moved the second reading of the Royal Exchange Rebuilding Bill. Mr. BRISCOE said there were some objectionable clauses in the Bill. Mr. HUME had great objections to a part of the Bill—he meant that part which continued the taxes on coals. By the report of the Coal Committee, which had been laid upon the table, it appeared that the tax would expire in 1851. The object of the present Bill was to raise a sum of from 150,000/. to 200,0001. or 300,0001. for rebuilding the Royal Exchange and other improvements in the city of London. The effect of that measure would be to continue the tax on coals till 1858 or 1859. He thought such a tax ought not to be paid by the poor but by the rich, and when he recollected that on a recent occasion the City talked of raising a sum of 200,0004 or 300,0001., for rejoicing and feasting on the occa sion of the approaching Coronation, it was a sorry specimen of the loyalty or spirit of the City of London to tax the poor man for the building of au Exchange fur her wealthy mer chants. lie should, when the Bill was in Committee, mast certainly propose to exclude the clause, as he objected to a tax on what was one of the first necessaries of life. After a few words from Mr. BARNARD, Mr. HUME did not oppose the second reading of the Bill, because he wished to see the improvements carried through ; but he objected to the improvement being made through the medium of a tax upon coals. Mr. WILLIAMS deprecated the making of improvements by a tax upon coals. The City of London for the greatest job that ever was perpetrated, the removal of Fleet Market, increased the tax upon coals to the extent of 250,0001., and now it was proposed to put on an additional tax to the amount of 150,0001. He was one who wished to see the Royal Ex change worthy of the City of London, but he thought that the tax for such a purpose ought to be on the citizens of Lon don themselves. Mr. PEASE must resist any new tax upon coals as im politic and injurious to the lower classes. Mr. LIDDLE thought that an increased tax upon such an article of life as coals ought to be discountenanced. The Bill was then read a second time and ordered to be committed. Sir M. WOOD obtained leave to bring in a Bill for im proving Westminster. On the motion of Mr. DENNISTOUN the Glasgow and Garnkirk Railway Bill was read a third time, and passed. Lord STANLEY moved the third reading of the Maccles field Grammar Schools Estate Bill.—Read a third time and passed. On the motion of Mr. CHALMERS the Newtyle and Coupar Railway Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr. WALKER presented a petition from places in Lan cashire, in favour of a Ten-hours' Factory Bill. CONVEYANCE OF MAILS BY RAILWAYS. Mr. PEASE presented petitions from the Great Western Railway Company, and from the London and Birmingham Railway Company, expressing their readiness and anxiety to render to the Government every possible assistance, and to enter into any engagement that might be reasonable or just, for the conveyance of her Majesty's mails, and praying that the Bill brought in by the Vicc-President of the Board of Trade might contain provisions for a just and fair recompense for any services they might render, and that the House would not sanction any plan by which the management of their own machinery was to be taken cut of their hands, not only to the destruction of their own pro perty, but to the great jeopardy of the lives of the passengers. BANK OF IRELAND. Mr. O'CONNELL presented a petition which had been. agreed to at a public meetinc , in Dublin, and was signed by the Lord Mayor on behalf of the meeting, against the mono poly of the Bank of Ireland. POSTAGE RATES. Mr. WALL ACE presented a petition from the Greenock Insurance Company praying for a reduction of the rate of postage. THE CORONATION. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER brought up the Report of the Committee appointed to make arrange ments for the Members of the House viewing her Majesty's Coronation. The Report was read at length by the Clerk. It stated that the Committee had viewed the Gallery which was set apart for their accommodation in Westminster Abbey, and they had been assured by one of the Commis sioners of Works that it was perfectly strong and safe-- (Much laughter)—and would afford accommodation to 613 Members—that the House should assemble at eight o'clock on the morning of the Coronation (the Members in Court dresses)--and that they be called over by counties from the balloting glasses, and that they enter by the great gate of Westminster-hall—that the Speaker be requested to issue tickets to those Members who might apply for them, and that the Speaker be requested to remain in the House until all the Members have left—that the Serjeant at Arms be directed to keep the way clear, and that the Deputy Serjeant at Arms do proceed and conduct the Members to their seats —that the Members do proceed from the House to the Poet's Corner by a covered way, and that they return by the same route to the House—that after nine o'clock the passage be kept clear for the exclusive use of the Members of the House, and again when the Members return from the Abbey. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER begged to say a few words with reference to the Report. The resolu tions were precisely the same, without varying in any respect hut one from those adopted on the former occasion. He be lieved he might appeal to those Members who had attended on the former occasion to bear him out in saying, that nothing could be mote satisfactory than the whole of the arrange ments then made ; and it appeared to the Committee that it would be better to pursue a course with which a great majority of the House bad been made familiar on former occasions, and which had given general satisfaction, rather than any other. He had stated that the resolutions differed in one re spect front the preceding ones, and that arose from the Coro nation taking place in the middle of the session, instead of in September, as on the last occa=ion, and there would be there fore, most probably, a much fuller attendance of Members now. On that occasion the accommodation provided was for 410 Members. Upon the present occasion accommodation had been provided for upwards of 600, which was the greatest number that in all probability would attend, considering that many were abroad, and others would be obliged to be elsewhere. Such being the spirit in which the Committee had proceeded, he trusted the House would agree to the Report. Mr. HAWES thought the object of the Report excellent, but there was one suggestion he felt bound to make with re spect to it. The counties were to be ballotted for, and Mem ,— • • •‘ ' in the order in which they were called ; now supposing there to be 24 IL. ate Clls..Atc . , or Middlesex, he was afraid that each would he striving fur pre cedency in order to get the best placts. He thought that the best course would be to draw the names of all the Members, instead of drawing them in counties. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, said the object of drawing- the counties by ballot was to obtain order, and save time. If all the names of the Members were to be called over, it would be equal to a call of the House, and then, instead of meeting at eight o'clock, they would have to muster at a much earlier hour.—( Cheers.) He felt no doubt that the Members of any one county would arrange• among them selves as to what course they should adopt. Mr. O'CONNELL trusted that the Hon. Member for Lambeth would not think it necessary to carry his suggestion further, for if he did it would put him in mind of an election. —(Laughter.) He hoped that the Chancellor of the Exche quer-was in error in the statement that the Coronation took place in the middle of the Session--(Cheers)—it being his sincere hope that they were near the end of it.—(Cheers.) Mr. HARVEY observed that the Right Hon. Gentleman had thought the Committee in drawing up their Report had at tended to former precedents. He could not but think that there was :a great in the Report that was ambiguous. As a specimen of the literary attainments 'of a Committee of that House, he thought the language might be mended. He thought that many persons might think that there was some thing very ambiguous in the words " necessary conveniences." —( Loud laughter.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had thought it better to take the words of the former resolutions, than to take any suggestion whatever. Mr. FRESHFIELD begged to inquire, whether there would be any difficulty in a Member getting admittance to his seat, supposing him to have d6ties to attend to on the morning of the Coronation, which would preclude bins from attending the procession of the House. Sir R. INGLIS apprehended that there would be no diffi culty whatever. The space allotted to the House was so ample that there must be plenty of room. The SPEAKER apprehended the only difficulty would be in passing the barriers. Mr. FRE SHFIE LD said there would be no difficulty there, as he would be in command of them. The resolutions were then agreed SPANISH CLAIMS. _ _ Mr. WARBURTON presented a petition from certain in dividuals representing the interests of British subjects and Spanish subjects who felt themselves aggrieved at the course adopted by Government with regard to the ad justment of their claims. They were the owners of slaves at the time of the expedition to this country during the hostilities with the United States. Those slaves ran away at that time, and joined the British Force in the United States. One of the proprietors of the slaves brought an action against the British Commanders for compensation, and obtained a verdict in the Court of King's Bench, subject to the opinion of the judges, whether slaves could properly be con sidered property after they bad entered on board a British vessel. The decision of the judges was that as :those Negro slaves went on board British vessels, they could be no longer considered slaves, and that consequently they could not be considered as property; so that although those individuals obtained a verdict, yet by this objection their claim was set aside. A convention was entered into between the two Governments, by which the British Government was to grant compensation to all parties whose property had been taken. At a subsequent period another convention was entered into by the two Governments, which transferred the obligation from tho solvent debtor the British Govern ment, to the insolvent debtor the Spanish Government; so that these parties were not able to obtain compensation. Under these circumstances the parties came before the House, and he ( Mr. W.) begged to move that the petition be printed with the Votes, and at a future day he should call the attention of the House to it. After a few words from the CHANCELLOR of the EXC HE QUER, the petition was ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee upon Spanish Claims. FOREIGN . COMMERCE. Lord SANDON presented a petition from the merchants, bankers, and other inhabitants of Liverpool, complaining of the neglect of the interests of the foreign commerce of this country. Sir E. CODRINGTON gave notice that on Tuesday, the 3d of July, he should move for a Select Committee to enquire into the claims of Lieutenant Hill ; and that on Thursday, the sth, he should call the attention of the House to the in justice done to the officers in the navy, compared with other branches of the public service. Mr. WALLACE enquired when the drawback on sugar would come into operation ? Mr. P. THOMSON replied, on the 10th October. Dr. LUSHINGTON gave notice that on Tuesday, the Ist of July, he should move for a copy of the correspondence that had taken place with reference to the loss of British sub jects in Africa, in consequence of the aggressions made upon them. NEGRO EMANCIPATION. Mr. O'CONNELL, seeing the Under Secretary for the Colonies in his place, .wished to ask whether a report had arrived from Barbadoes, and, if it had, whether it W:l5 true that the Legislature of that Colony had passed an Act, by which complete emaxteipation was to be given :to the Negro Apprentices from the Ist of August of the present year. Ho wished also to know whether there was any probability that any other of the British c Monies would follow so noble an example ?—( Cheers.) Sir G. GREY said that he had much satisfaction in stating that, by the mail to-day, he had received an account from Barbadoes, stating that the Legislature of that colony had passed an Act completely emancipating the Negro Apprentices in that colony from the Ist of August next.—(Cheers.) He had also received a similar account from the colony of St. Vincent—(Cheers)—and in the colony of St. Kitt's a resolu tion had been passed by the Legislature for completely eman cipating the Negro Apprentices on the same day.—( Cheers.) The accounts he had received from the West Indies led him to the confident anticipation that the other colonies would pro bably follow the example.—(Cheers.) In Jamaica the Legislative Assembly was convened for the sth of the present month, for the purpose of carrying so desirable an object into effect. The Governor had called to gether the Legislative Council, and he was happy to say every individual in that body, though not in their Legislative ca pacity, were unanimously of opinion that such a measure would be conducive to the best interests of the colony. NAVAL ARCHITECTURE. Viscount INGE STRE rose to move for the returns of which he had given notice. He had been prevented bringing forward the subject a few days since in consequence of the thinness of the attendance, and he was sorry to be obliged to obtrude himself again on its attention. The question of Naval Architecture, involved in these returns, had, he was sorry to say, given rise to very great party feeling, not of a political, but of a professional nature, and it was most difficult to get at anything like the truth. —( Hear.) There had been a series of trials between different ships of war, and the country had been put to a very great expense. The object of his motion now was to obtain something like the re sult of these trials. In 1806 it was stated that the subject of naval architecture had been very much neglected in this country, and a Commission had been appointed which recommended the establishment of a school of naval architecture, which was accordingly done in 1810 or 1811. Several Gentlemen had been induced to enter those s , ..thools under certain con ditions, which were, that they should receive a liberal education, which must have cost a considerable sum, and enter into a bond in 5001. not to leave the service for ten years after they had been discharged from the school, making it a period of seventeen years. He con tended that those gentlemen had nut been well used, from the course which had subsequently been taken by Government. The Noble. Lord then quoted a passage from the Report of Sir Wm. Symonds, which stated that the academy would tend much to revive that which had been too much neglected, a taste for naval architecture. As to the other returns, he knew that it would be suggested that the Reports of the officers would be very conflicting, as each officer no doubt said his own was best. The experiments made under the present Surveyor of the Navy had cost the country between 1,000,0001. and 1,500,0001. If they were to have trials, let them be far trials, and let the reports be made public. The Noble Lord (who spoke in so indistinct a tone that it was with great difficulty a sentence could be collected) was understood to say that the country had a right to be in formed on this subject, and to know which of the vessels was built on the best plan. For his own part he was of opinion, that with the quantity of materials that had been employed under the direction of the Surveyor- General, more efficient ves sels could be built. There were other points connected with the management of the navy he was desirous to press on the attention of the Admiralty—one was, as to the way in which ships are sent to sea short of hands. As to impressment, he would be sorry it should be continued if it were possible to do away with it ; but he thought that the best way would be to keep up the full complement of men in ships sent to sea in time of peace. The building of the ships was of very great importance, and the best interests of science required the appointment of a scien tific Board, to whom all experiments might be referred. This would be a great assistance to the Lords of the Admiralty. The Noble Lord concluded by moving for a return of the pro motions and appoinments Of the various shipwright and other officers that have taken place since 1830, and the amount of their salaries in her Majesty's dock-yards, distinguishing those who who were educated at the School of Naval Archi tecture. Mr. HUME supported the motion. He had, on more oc casions than one, called the attention of the House to the important establishment which bad been referred to, having been put an end to by the Right Hon. Baronet, when he was First Lord of the Admiralty. He thought that if any country ought to have an establishment teaching naval architecture, that country was England.— (Cries of " Hear, hear.") He was pleased to find that the Noble Lord had moved for the papers, because when they were laid upon the table, the House would see how encouragement had been given to those who deserved it. Sir E. CODRINGTON supported the motion, thinking that the more information was brought before the public on the subject the better. He could not, however, agree with the Hon. Member, that the establishment of a school similar to the one he had adverted to was necessary. The Hon. and Gallant Member then proceeded to instance two or three persons who had not been educated in the school (one of them by his own father, an officer in the Docks), and who had distinguished themselves in that department of naval science. It would be impossible for the country to give employ ment in their dock-yards to all the persons educated at that school, and the result would be, that, ther having given them an expensive education, they would go to foreign nations, and obtain employment there.—( Hear, hear.) Sir C. ADAM considered this a matter which the House should not meddle with, as by doing so they would take it out of the hands of tho ,, e wet,: at peseta 1,.t1 tlic.,rote crustedthe House would not think it necessary to grant the returns moved for. Captain PE CHELL would support the Noble Lord in his motion, as far as regarded the trials of the ships; but he did not think the returns of the expenses moved for by him at all necessary. Captain * GORDON said that it was due to all persons in question, and also to Sir W. Symons himself, that the returns should be granted. Sir T. TROUBRIDGE defended the course taken by the Admiralty. After a few words from Mr. A. CHAPMAN, Mr. HumE, and the SPF.ANER, Lord INGE STRE replied briefly. He would not press his motion to a division, if even modified returns were agreed to. _ _ - Sir C. ADAM explained. He had no objection to grant the returns in a modified form. The objection he had to the first on the list was that it was not necessary. After a few words from Lord J. RUSSELL, the first— , . " Return of the promotions and appointments of the various shipwrights and other officers that have taken place since 1830, in her Majesty's dock-yards, distinguishing those who w ere educated at the School of Naval Architecture." On the second— " Extracts from the logs of her Majesty's ships Pique and Inconstant, of Vanguard, Pembroke, and Bellerophon, of Rodney and Vanguard, during their respective trial-cruises, and reports of senior officers during such trials, and also Vice- Admiral Sir C. Paget's reports of trials between her Ma jesty's ships Pique and Inconstant, in November and Doccm ber, 1835," being put from the Chair, Sir C. ADAM moved the adjournment of the debate to Friday (this day) se'nnight. Mr. P. THOMSON said that the course proposed by his Hon. and Gallant Friend was the only oue which the Noble Lord could adopt with advantage to his motion. Captain GORDON wished to know what were the modifi cations which the Hon. and Gallant Admiral proposed to make on the return? Captain PECHELL hoped the Noble Lord would be sa tisfied with the reports of the Admirals commanding-in-chief on those occasions—Sir C. Paget and Sir J. Rowley. Sir C ADAM should have no particular objection to the return if the report of Vice-Admiral Sir C. P age t were a l one desired by the Noble Lord. Mr. HUME objected to the form of the return. After a few words from Sir C. Adam, Lord Ingestre, and Sir E. Codrington, Sir P. PEE L suggested that the return should run thus— " Any reports of the senior officers on the trial of the respec tive cruisers, her Majesty's ships Pique and Inconstant, Van guard, Pembroke, and Bellerophon, and also any report, if such there be, of Vice-Admiral Sir C. Paget on the same subject." The motion in this amended form was then agreed to. Returns 3,4, and 5. " Report of Captain Lord John Hay, on trial of sail ing qualities between her Majesty's ships Pique and Castor in 1t435." " Report of Sir J. G. Bremer, on trial of sailing qualities between her Majesty's ships Castor, Pique, and Inconstant, July 1837." "Expense of building the ,respective hulls of the above named ships." On the sixth return being read from the Chair— " Expence of repairs of the hulls, and of the masts, yards, sails, and cordage of her Majesty's ships Vernon and Barham respectively, after being fully equipped, from the date of the Vernon's first putting to sea up to the end of 1837 ; distin gui,:hing the number of days each has been at sea." Sir C. AD AM said that to furnish the return would be a matter of impossibility. Reference should be had to foreign dock-yards before it could be even begun. Lord INGE STRE, under these circumstances, consented to withdraw the motion for this return. It was withdrawn accordingly. To return No. 7% " Of cxpences of her 'Majesty's ships Scout and Rover, from the date of their first putting to sea in 1832 to the end of 1837 ; and similar returns of exponces of her M a j es ty' s ships Pique and Inconstant, from the Ist of October, 1 7, to the Ist of April, 1838." Sir C. ADAM also objected, on the ground of its inutility. After a few words from Lord Ingestre, Sir E. Codrington, and Captain Gordon, the motion was withdrawn, and another substituted for it by consent, to the effect that the reports of the boatswains and carpenters on the defects of the respective ships should be returned instead. SPANISH PRISONERS IN PORTUGAL. Sir ROBERT PEEL-_I have a question to put to the Noble Lord opposite (Palmerston) in respect to a matter which may escape the attention of the House, if it he not es pecially directed to it. It concerns the detention of certain persons in Portugal, natives of Spain, made prisoners under the treaty of Erora Monte by the Portuguese Government. That treaty was concluded in 1830, and was guaranteed in its execution by Great Britain. The guarantee core itutes the motive for my present interference on behalf of these indivi duals. In order, however, to nake my question intelligible I shall read the first article of the treaty, which bears upon it. It relates to those Spaniards who accompanied Don Carlos and Don Miguel when the surrendered themselves to the British.Goyernment in that year, and it states that all Spanish subjects who gave themselves up to the British Government should be conducted tc. a place of safety, previous to their being sent home to their own country." By the 4th articl e th e Portuguese Government are bound to furnish means for r emoving those persons to their own country when it could be done with safety. I Per ceive by the last papers on this subject which have been laid befor e the House, that Mr. Villiers, our Ambassador at Madrid, had some hopes of being able to effect their liberation. He write ° to the Noble Lord opposite, that " though objections have been made to the release of the Spanish prisoners under the Convention of Evora Monte, the present Minister of NV ar seemed to be disposed to acquiesce in their liberation." N e l this being the case, the first question I have to put to the Nobe Lord is, whether he has received any information cal culated to induce a belief that the hopes of Mr. Villiers will he realized; and, secondly, whether those persons at present confin ed o f der the terms of that treaty can be considered as prisoners ot war, and whether it is his opinion that the treaty is not a pr o ' visional one ? Lord PALMERSTON never thought that those persoes were entitled to their release unless by exchange, in the same_ manner es other prisoners of war. The Right Hon. I3arena would perceive, on reference to the papers laid before the House, that the treaty in question had not been concluded °3 the guarantee of Great Britain. It was a treaty between the Portuguese Marshal and Don Miguel, and the ques tion of the followers of Don Carlos became a subject of consideration while it was under discussion. Don Miguel's Marshal said that he had nothing at all to do with Don Carlos's people, and disowned then! altogether. By this act they were in danger of being excluded from the benefit of the convention. But Mr. Grant, who is co n netted with the Embassy at Lisbon, was dispatched by Lord Howard de Walden to the scene of negociation, and on vee r " taining the fact he said he could not suffer such a thing td take place. Very cunningly, and very properly too, he offe a r d himself en the spot as the plenipotentiary of Don Carlos, ur. in that anomalous character, less than as an official of the tish embassy, he signed the articles of the treaty of I '" ra Monte with the Duke de Terceira. The question, therefor to be considered was, whether the articles entitle the S p ans- ? prisoners in Portugal to be liberated and sent free into Spain Negotiations, however, were going on for their exc hange ; the Portuguese and the Spanish Governments expressed there selves anxious for it ; and though difficulties had sprung up to impede their negociations, he ( Lord Palmerston) had every hope that they would be ultimately removed, that the ex change 'would be effected. The last accounts he bad heard of 00 1 stated that the negociations were still going on. Sir R. PEEL—I do entreat the Noble Lord to COnsidera, again the contents of these papers, and, if he sees the go° faith of England involved in the question, to enforce the god" rantee, and liberate the prisoners. When the Noble Lee says that no guarantee has been given to this country, I ca n, help thinking that he has not read all the papers al' nected with this subject. at Lord PALMERSTON said that the honour of Ore. - Britain had been pledged that these persons should n ot h i ; given up to the Queen's Government in Spain ; an d t pledge had been redeemed. The question was were they„war, to be liberated for the purpose of joining the ranks of Don los ; or were they to be detained until an exchange for nth,. ‘ prisoners of war could be effected ? His (Lord Palmerstols/0 opinion was that they should not be liberated unless I)sis Carlos let free an equal number of persons taken by him, 2 set-off against them. TH VIXEN. Sir S. CANNING then E rose to bring forward his rO u ti ol °11 „ respecting the seizure of the Vixen. Although the be stances of the case were known to every Hon. mo mber, (Sir Stratford Canning) should take leave to r e cal the P rl o rs cipal facts to the recollection of the House. The petrtiod ; were two gentlemen, ship-builders, resident in fien,°,lsel and a gentleman, the merchant who had chartered the Black seized. The latter was concerned in the trade on the ' ,lc o f Sea, and he had an establishment on the Danube , i° ° r i v er. the principalities that lie on the shores of th at " Being desirous of extending that trade from the char ropean to the Asiatic side of the Black Sea, he Tee' tered the Vixen of her owners, the other petitioners•etained' result was that the Vixen was sent to Sebastapol, and be en detained cone there, and the seizure ended in the vessel having , i ;„ t he demned for violating the fiscal regulations establishe" Ced Russia,' Government. The British flag was taken devv-e'ptere the Russian hoisted in its stead. It appeared that th e sence o f prise which led to this seizure arose out of the eireunts- a nd Mr. Bell hating gone to the West side of the Black ° e ' coa st his attention being drawn to the great facilities which the _ hat of Circassia afforded fur commercial trade ; and to shoi t : ho the views of Mr. Bell were not unsound in this resp ce en eat, could refer to several able works that had been w ritten u t r Odesubject, one of which was by the Dutch C°°'.?"litis ssa. All these publications described the great fat' do i o which the line of the Circassian coast afforded for tra er ce• wood, tallow, honey, and various other articles of cere rn ... t he When Mr. Bell entered upon this speculation, r s Vixen, he had only heard a vague rumour that there :of a blockade of the coast by Russia ; and, being desi ci re : o l t he obtaining the best knowledge on the subject, he aPP lie and Foreign Office—first verbally, and afterwards by letter ; not content with this, he would not permit the vessel to , ;,` io until he had communicated with the British Ambassador. but ( Sir S. Canning) would not say with whom the fault I ?Y s ,ble the House would admit that the transaction was a denl o °,'_ the one for the character of the country. He did not thi : trent and sent °"' fault lay with the petitioners, but rather with the dee - e , fle that had decided Mr. Bell in embarking in the enterPr i !.,„ ti iry confessed that this saes a painful question to submit for l'`lll to to a Committee of the House. It was not his interitto bring before the Committee the g. - o,mcis upon whic hthe rig slag officers seized the Vixen, and the Russian GoN - ernt o passed a sentence of confiscat'on upon that vessel—the irrcg iv f larity of the law upon the subject, or the actual occupatie e ho the coast by Russia. All these points were involved es right of Russia to the Circassian provinces, and he Wa s i n d s willing at'the present moment to moot this question, o f o s e to vast importance. Ha confessed he never had been auL"he satisfy his mind as to the right which Russia claimed overt f Circassian provinces. In his opinion, by the treaty Adrianople, Russia was restrained, in all honour and fairileid from making any accession of territory, as she had d°° e bo , the case of Circassia. There was a great discrepane2,, 0 r twcen several of the statements made as to the transactivu-no the Vixen, according to the papers that had bee n laid tope the table, and he hoped the Noble Lord would be able 0;4 plain the difference. He had another reason for not g t hat very minutely into the whole of the question, which va t ' a nd a trial was now pending between the owners of the Vi n e k n t eat the underwriters, and ending that trial he did n ot think wt to e re, hor : he was justified in g o i ng into all the particulars. T b e therefore, several poi n t s th at h e did no t intend to sun c era the Committee. The petitioners complained that the?'. cst ioo exposed to hardship s i n consequence o f no early aPP ' we nt, having been made in their behalf to the Russian Govcr a hc a ny although the circu ms t ances o f t h e case were known t t th e bas-actor at an early p er i o d. Th ere was a l so a compla int s ssa" petition that no re monstrance h a d b een ma d e by the a ": l ead ° dor when the decisio n o f t h e R uss i an Government 00'; known. As, howe ver , t h e di st i ngu i s h e d persona uu e - a rt plained against w as engage d i u another and a dis t n t il liearni . :' her Majesty' s domi n i ons , an d as h e (the Earl of 'he W 3 ' had therefore no opportunity of meeting the charge' o Coin"; not desirous of referring this part of the petition to to wa in& mittee.—( Hear.) The part of the petition which re d san e ' for reference to the Committee related to the degr ee - r a ‘ were suppose lion under which the petitioners d to h a a . Fo re '"e tered upon the enterprise, both on the part of th e f Office and the Embassy at Constantinople. It wa;ups 110" greatest importance that this matter should be ciente,' n Pc' only with reference to the petitions, but to the F°retraetecof toetr partment, as it was by no means desirable for the e• of the Administration of thi s c oun t r y that charg es al dea.. nature should be allowed to remain Upon a princiPawool`' partment of Government with ou t th a t inquiry whic h ( 001' enable the public a f orm a j us t an d c l ear judgmcot• -- e `. ' ll hear.) Wh en th e pet i t i oners were a b ou t to ern' ai f the their ent er p r i se , b e i ng un d er some apprehension e l o yo' result, they a ddress e d s e v era l comm un i ca tions to th 0 irly reign Office, and the result of these was to produe e e ? o reig, 6 pjesdon on the minds of the petitioners that the g psoli t t ll o e i p n a te rt r m fe e r n e t w w it a h s n t o h t e di t s r p a o d s e ed of to c r i e r c c ognize the right 01 -,,erit disposed to view with pl easure an d saastissifaa'catinodntahnat theY nd c r d t' b l64 that was likely to op en th a t couc t ry to B r i t i s h tradue,a°mirllg n i e a the question to an issu e . M r . B e ll was , h o wever, doteri-pten to obtain a more direct and complete knowledge of the ijo a to - sions of the Foreign Department, and he, therefore aPi s che' the Noble Lord at the head of that department to kri e ,: e . co al ther any restrictions up on th e t ra d e with that part of t'isedr of Circassia to the south of the River Kuban was re ongil p - with The answer of the Noble Lord was one which at best her „opt, it the character of evasion. It was signed by Mr. Stri a lee and was as follows. The Hon. Gentleman then read t doty of ter which has already appeared in print. It was tb;, i° s ! the Noble Lord to h a ve g uard e d by Mr. Be" against any risk. Mr. Bell again wrote a letter to the un der. Secretary of State, to know whether he was t ° that stand, from the fact not beimt noticed in the 6 ,.. a n et c;dge 4 no blockade on the coast of Circassia was aeas rl- . ‘c e ed rt . ° by the British Government ; and the answer he rcee i rneap confirmatory of his former impression. He did het , sa y that impute any motive to the Noble Lord, but hemnis, meowl if the Noble Lord had wished to lay a trap for the cem a a ny interests of this country he could n o t have ad°P gt part plan more likely to succeed. He would now refer to t `' - e dings of the question which was connected with the proco onby , ) of our Ambassador at Constantinople ( Lord P°, h s .o ffiect Mr. Bell, after his communication with the Ferog e d ae' thought he had a right to embark in the enterprise, e d at cordingly he left this country with his vessel, and arrl.v_ 0 1 10 Constantinople ; and to show that he did not e mbark 1 1 0 0 , enterprise without the knowledge, at least, of the ble s t / N 0 6' he was the bearer of despatches to the embassy at / 3,11, nople. The brother of Mr. Bell, namely, Mr- Jar fies us who was the principal actor in these actions, was desirwo fore proceeding further to ascertain whether any chanc, e ir ef taken place in the intentions of Government. He ac on on applied to Lord Ponsonby, and had an interview with h"P o s the subject, the result of which he embodied in a me n "; dum, and sent to Lord Ponsonby, desiring to know if it Lo ra correct account of what took place at the interview... 7 , to desPa' e , Ponsonby transmitted to Mr. Bell a copy of a which he also had made a report of the same conver i s ci l pot and accompanied this with a note stating that he cou`,,,tee recognise any essential difference between Mr. Bell's - 0 t o ment and his own. Lord Ponsonby did not ask Mr. 13 , e ffice• wait till he had transmitted his despatch to the Foreign u. to to and obtained an answer; on the contrary, he allowed it i , r iest proceed, merely cautioning him to be careful not t 0 iessi any appearance of evading the blockade. He mu st t hat that these circumstances conveyed a stroe impress ieo Lord Ponsonby was not only favourable to th e tot that he fancied sornchew or other that this view of the El would not be unpalatable to the Foreign Department. 3fri.e. those circuras.tances, he thought that the House would 40 with him in thinking that there were sufficient re asons tou to out the petitioners inn their prima facie charge agains t